Online casinos in Morocco operate in an entirely unregulated legal environment, despite the country having well-established laws for land-based gambling. Morocco's gambling framework is governed by Dahir No. 1-65-206, established in 1966, which authorizes land-based casinos, lotteries, and parimutuel betting but makes no provisions for online gambling activities (1). While land-based casinos are strictly regulated and primarily serve foreign tourists in cities like Marrakech and Agadir, online gambling remains in a legal gray area with no licensing process available for operators.
The Moroccan gambling industry is overseen by three state-run monopolies rather than a single national regulator. The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Horses (SOREC) manages horse race betting, La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS) handles sports betting and scratchcard lotteries, and Loterie Nationale controls draw-based lottery products (1). Additionally, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with the Ministry of Finance, provide oversight to ensure safety and transparency in licensed gambling operations (2).
"The absence of a licensing process for iGaming operators and the lack of technical and compliance standards results in Moroccan residents frequently turning to offshore platforms for online gambling."
Currently, Moroccan residents are not prohibited from accessing offshore online gambling sites, as no specific laws address online casino participation. However, this unregulated status means players lack legal protections and the government misses potential tax revenue opportunities (1). The Moroccan government has indicated plans to develop online gambling regulations in the future, but the sector remains completely unregulated for now, with locals often relying on foreign websites that offer services in Arabic or French to accommodate Moroccan players (2).
Source:
https://globalgamblingnews.com/morocco-a-unique-approach-to-gambling-regulation/
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulations-in-morocco/
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
